Supreme Court Allows Punjab Govt to Construct Orange Line Train

Supreme Court Allows Punjab Govt to Construct Orange Line Train

Last year on August 19, Lahore High Court(LHC) passed orders to stop the construction of Orange Line Train. A project by Punjab Government. Lahore High Court order was not received with open hands. As a result of National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak) and Lahore Development Authority (LDA). As well as Punjab government and Transit Authority filled appeal against the order to Supreme Court. The LHC orders were to stop the construction within 200 feet. Moreover, the project was considered to be a threat to heritage sites such as Supreme Court Lahore Registry, GPO. Also, Lakshmi Chowk, Hazrat Baba Mauj Darya and many other central attractions of the city are under threat.

However, after all these months. Supreme court eventually set aside Lahore High Court orders of stopping construction of Orange Line Train orders. Finally, permitting Punjab government to move ahead with the orange line train project. However, there are few terms and conditions to be taken care off. A little more than few conditions, there is a total of 31 conditions enforced by Supreme Court.

The judgment for a multibillion-dollar project – orange line train was put forward by Justice Ijazul Ahsan. Approximately after half a year. In April 2017, bench actually reserved the verdict on this matter. The larger bench comprised of Justices Ejaz Afzal Khan, Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, Maqbool Baqar and Sheikh Azmat Saeed. This bench has also been part of earlier petitions by National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak) and Punjab Government. Followed by Punjab Mass Transit Authority and Development Authority and Civil Society Network. Originally Lahore High Court orders were to stop construction of Orange Line Train within 200feet. Nevertheless, Supreme Court on Friday waved the green flag. Permitting the Punjab Government to resume Orange Line Train construction. Permitting the government that they may complete the project by the date it was planned to be completed.

Furthermore, according to Supreme Court orders committees need to be made. The aim is to make two committees which will look at the project technical aspects. The technical committees for orange line train will be formed within 30days. One of the committees will have a senior professor in archaeology preferably from Punjab University along with a senior judge. The nomination of the judge will be done by the chief justice. This particular committee will purely focus on analyzing if orange line train has any negative impact on heritage sites. Considering any damage done to their heritage site as a result of orange line train construction.

A fund of 130million has been allocated for this committee. So that renovation and repairing of these sites can be done. The second committee will focus on assessing if orange line train has come across any losses due to suspension. This committee will deeply focus and figure out if any losses occurred due to Lahore High Court decision.

Punjab Chief Minister, Mr.Shahbaz Sharif said the aim is to inaugurate orange line train on Quaid-e-Azam day, December 25. Furthermore, he added that he will announce the date later as one needs to analyze the project situation at the moment. Analyzing the time required for completion of Orange Line Train. Moreover, promising to complete the project by working day and night. So that the gap can be filled